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WEIRTON -- While acknowledging renewable energy sources should have a seat at table, U.S. Rep. David McKinley says the goals set by the Biden administration on fossil fuels reductions are unrealistic.
McKinley, R-W.Va., was in Weirton Monday, meeting with local officials to discuss several ongoing projects.
The Biden administration has proposed an expansion of renewable energy, with a goal of the nation's energy sector going 100 percent renewable by 2035. McKinley said a second goal would have the nation completely off of fossil fuels by 2050.
While McKinley said it's "aspirational" to look into expansions in the areas of renewable energies, such as wind, solar and hydro, the nation doesn't have the infrastructure or enough proven technology to be able to make a full switch within the next 15 years.
Citing carbon capture technology as an example, McKinley said there currently are no power plants with a fully-effective carbon capture operations. Carbon capture is a process during which carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and other sources are captured and either stored or reused as to not enter the atmosphere.
"To date, there's only one plant operating and it's a demonstration plant," McKinley said, adding its systems are only about 80 percent effective.
The plans are creating uncertainty in the energy markets, McKinley said, as companies express concern as to whether they should invest in coal and natural gas, as well as the construction of power facilities, if those sources won't be used.
McKinley recalled similar concerns during the Obama administration, which he said put environmental regulations in place detrimental to the coal industry. Many of those regulations were lifted by the Trump administration, but the congressman sees the Biden administration reversing course.
"He's going to put them all in place again," McKinley said, explaining the administration's plan is looking at establishing the changes as law instead of through regulatory processes which could be changed by future presidents.
As an alternative, McKinley has been working with U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., on a bill targeting an 80 percent reduction by 2050, with funding also provided to support programs researching the potential advancements of alternative energy sources for the next 10 years.
"I want people to slow down a little bit. Think it through," he said. "Let the free market make the determination, not the political bureaucrats in Washington."
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)